Mexico Elects Judges Amid ⁢controversy Over Judicial Reform

Updated June 02, 2025

Mexican citizens participated in a historic vote Sunday to elect judges, a move championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum as vital democratic reform.Opponents, though,‍ decry the election as a power grab by the ruling party.

This election marks the first time Mexico has chosen its judges by popular⁢ vote. ‌Previously,judges were appointed after review panels and legal exams,or,in the case of Supreme‌ Court justices,through presidential nominations. Experts note that Mexico is now the first country to elect all its judges.

Sheinbaum, who‍ has ​criticized the current judiciary as corrupt, signaled her approval as she voted in Mexico City. “Long live democracy!” she posted on X.

The⁤ president has presented the judicial ⁢reform as crucial to curbing‍ Mexican criminal cartels. Detractors, though, anticipate a partisan judiciary vulnerable to bribery and organized crime infiltration. Fernando Belaunzarán, a member of the National Action Party, called the election a “coup d’etat” that dismantled the system of ‌checks and balances.

Some opposition lawmakers called for a boycott, branding the ​process a farce to empower Sheinbaum’s Morena party, which dominates Congress, ‍the Mexico‍ City government, and many‌ statehouses.

Beyond the political debate, the election process caused widespread ‌confusion. Voters faced the daunting task⁣ of choosing from over​ 3,000 candidates for 881 federal judge ​positions. Similar elections are ⁣planned for 2027 to ⁢fill the remaining federal bench positions. Additionally, voters in 18 states and Mexico City selected about 1,800 regional judges.

Turnout appeared slow, with delays‍ reported at various polling sites in the capital. many voters, notably the elderly, struggled with the numerous candidates, spending upwards of 20 minutes completing their ballots.

Alberto Romero Díaz, a car wash owner, expressed frustration with⁢ the long wait times and​ poor organization. Many voters used​ “cheat sheets” listing preferred candidates.Jerónimo Contreras, a businessman, admitted using these guides, which he said indicated candidates backed by​ Sheinbaum’s Morena party, to ensure continued government aid.

While the elections are officially⁤ nonpartisan, critics argue that the candidate vetting process was inadequate, with some candidates having ties ⁤to ⁢organized crime. Sheinbaum acknowledged that a few candidates appeared unqualified.

Voter ⁣participation, a key indicator of the election’s legitimacy, is expected to be lower than the 60% turnout in last year’s national elections.

The election of nine members to the new Supreme⁢ Court is particularly significant. The reformed court⁤ will have fewer justices and face new limits on its ⁤ability to invalidate laws.

The vote stems from constitutional amendments pushed by former President Andrés manuel López Obrador,who,like former President Trump,often clashed ‍with court rulings.⁢ The Morena-dominated Congress swiftly approved the judicial ⁣overhaul, dismissing concerns about one-party rule.

López Obrador, who made a rare ⁤public appearance to vote in Chiapas, praised the ⁤judicial vote and lauded Sheinbaum, stating, “We have the world’s best president!”

Official⁤ results are ​expected in two weeks, with newly ⁤elected judges scheduled to take ⁣office Sept.⁣ 1.

What’s next

The focus now shifts to the official vote count and the transition period as the newly elected⁢ judges prepare to assume their ⁤roles in September. The impact of this judicial reform on mexico’s legal system and its fight against organized crime⁣ will be closely monitored.